OPERATION ROOM OR GARDEN

Profoto strobes makes me so happy ! An operating room or a garden; Profoto makes life easy!

SO MUCH WORK

Finally time for an update. I've been so busy working. I just would like to share this photographs, because I like them. I've invested in 3 Profoto Heads, another California Sunbounce and lots of other gear. Now I feel I have much more control over my lighting. Control freak as I am !

FARMER

Yesterday, I shot a farmer in the centre of the Netherlands. I made a close-up for the client. And this photograph is purely for myself. It's healthy for my spirits.

Mei Asia Trip

Finally, I'm able to show a little movie about the Asia trip I made last year. I was asked to shoot a new product line for an oriental foods trading company. The marketing manager, an art director and myself flew to 4 different countries and shot in 5 different areas. We worked in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, India and the Himalya's. We had 10 flights and shot 64 products, all within 3 weeks. With the help of different local crews we improvised on every location with the light, the props and the models. It was hard work, but a fabulous experience.

LAST WEEK

Just a quick update of a few things I have been working on last week. The first picture is a portrait of Paul Emmen. He is a Public Prosecutor. It was great fun working with him. He certainly has an interesting job.
The second photograph is a group portrait of the heads of the Public Prosecution for their annual report. I had planned on shooting outside. I had found a great location. But because of the rain we had to move inside. So I had to arrange an inside location on the spot. We managed to put the whole setting together within very limited time. So we did well!
And the third photo is a portrait of Sophie Hankes. She is a victim of medical errors. We went into the woods, where she used to walk endlessly, before she became dependant on her wheelchair. She is fighting a difficult struggle with the medical system to prevent more medical errors.

STUDIO INSPIRATION

Last week I did a test shoot in the studio. My intern Lize and I, wanted to make some portraits, inspired by Nadav Kander. I noticed his portraits of Obama's People for the New York Times. You can view them here. I was very impressed by the look and feel. And I was wondering ; how does he do that? So we copied the lighting set-up. But we failed to produce the shadows as in Kander's portraits. I don't think it can be done without photoshop. The subject is standing too far from the background to give a natural shadow. Whenever you have the solution, please mail me!

So, we didn't match Kander's portraits. But that doesn't matter at all. That's not the issue. Copying a set-up, is only the start for new inspiration. This will take me further again.
So this was a very useful and inspiring day!

Time for change

Lois Pot-Mothershed has been working for 'Democrats Abroad' for several months during the American presidential campaign. She is thrilled to see Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the Unites States next tuesday.

Three Musketeers

2009 has begon. And I'm ready for it!
Yesterday I photographed 3 Fathers for a Catholic Newspaper. It was freezing cold in church. But, thank God, the pictures turned out great.

Film Director

Now I know again how cold it can be in December. When I was photographing Eric Steegstra for a health magazine last week, I didn't feel my fingers anymore. We were standing somewhere in the desolated areas of Groningen, but it felt like we were at the North Pole or somewhere simulair. It was so very .... cold. But it doesn't show in the picture. It was a freezing, but interesting rendez-vous. A very nice man.

Princess

Last friday I shot the entire crew of my sisters hairdressers shop. I build a complete studio on location, using 6 lights and a backdrop. In 8 hours we photographed 18 hairstylists. And I really like this one in particular. She is like a Princess.

Friend

Last week Joke and I were playing around in the studio. Trying out different kinds of lighting. I find it so inspiring to be able to just play around. Not having to worry about a client. To allow yourself to fail. And sometime that happens, and sometimes the results are not that bad. In the end this portrait was made with just one light. Simplicity is what I might need to pursue more.

Don't mess around with me !

Charles van der Voort, prosecutor. A real crimefighter!

Wendy and Pascal

Today was a day with a beautiful ending. In the late afternoon, I had to photograph Wendy (13) and Pascal (4) for Wegener Newspapers. Pascal, with Downs Syndrome, made my day. What a sweet boy. And what a powerfull sister, Wendy.

Fishermen

3 Fishermen on a cold foggy morning. I just passed them. And the light was so beautiful, I simply had to photograph them. I should do this more often.

My Tree

Today it was a beautiful foggy morning. I drove to the river. To my special spot. There's a tree near the water, and I just love that place. It's so quit and peaceful. The best place to clear my head.

Fun as Bond

Today I photographed Ruud Koolen for a new healthcare magazine. We had a great time in the studio. I think we shot enough material for the coming 2 years ! And we even had time to play James Bond.

My first book is out now!!!